FEARS have been raised about Zimbabwe’s future under president-designate Emmerson Mnangagwa as the 75-year-old prepares to take over the country’s leadership after Robert Mugabe’s resignation.

Mnangagwa has been nicknamed the Crocodile because of his ruthless reputation

Activists, human rights groups and politicians from around the world have expressed concerns about Mnangagwa, who has been nicknamed ‘the Crocodile’ because of his reputation for stealth and ruthlessness.

Evan Mawarire, the pastor who led large anti-government protests last year, said Zimbabweans must let their new leader know that the country should be for everyone, not just the ruling elite.

Mawarire, who has been jailed five times by the Mugabe regime for his activism, organised ‘prayer protest meetings’ in Harare in the build-up to Mugabe’s resignation.

He believes that despite concerns about Mnangagwa and the army, it is important to be at the negotiating table with them.

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He said: "We are doing things that we've never been allowed to do in this country. The kind of relief we have had over the last few days is something that is so precious to us. And we don't want to lose it.

"So going forward, I would rather compromise and negotiate than try and go for a winner take all. Because if you've lived even just for one day in this country, then you know what it's like to live under oppression.

“If there's a slight chance this might be different, we'll take that chance."